Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Charmer

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE CHARMER (J8x32) 3C (4C set) RSCDS Book 29

1- 8 1s dance 4 slip steps down middle, set to 3s, slip step back to top and cast 1 place
9-16 2s repeat above Fig
17-24 1s dance down 1 place (2s up), 2s+1s circle 4H round to left and 1s dance up to top (2s down)
25-32 1s set, cast to 2nd place and 2s+1s+3s turn RH

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

The Charmer - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

The Charmer is a Scottish Country Dance it was published by Walsh in 1717, and interpreted by the RSCDS in Book 29, 1979.

Walsh wrote:

The 1st Cu. take Hands, go thro' the 2d, and set to the 3d Cu. then turn about to the 2d Cu. and all four take Hands abreast, lead up and the 1st Cu. cast off -
The 2d Cu. do the same with the 3d and the 1st Cu. -
The 1st Cu. figure thro' the 2d Cu. all four take Hands and turn quite round -
The 1st Cu. cross quite round the 2d Cu. clap Hands and cast off into the 2d Cu. Place -

(Dance information copyright, reproduced here with the kind permission of George Williams)

The Charmer
"The Charmer" John William Waterhouse (1849-1917), Oil Painting, c. 1911

Image from John William Waterhouse, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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